Royals' Bubba Starling: First spring 'a great experience'

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(3/18/15) Royals outfield prospect Bubba Starling was one of several players re-assigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, wrapping up his first taste of major-league spring training, which he said met all his expectations, MLB.com reports.

"And then some, probably even more so," Starling said. "I feel like I have really learned some stuff from the veteran guys. It has been a great experience."

Starling struck out in five of his first six Cactus League at-bats but was able to rebound from the poor effort, collecting four hits in his last eight at-bats.

"Getting those first couple of hits really relaxed me," Starling said. "I was able to stop making those defensive swings just trying to get the ball in play and I started being more aggressive and being myself."

"You could just see the pressure come off him," manager Ned Yost said, "and then he started playing his game."

Bubba Starling continues to disappoint

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4/23/14) Royals outfielder prospect Bubba Starling is having another rough start at the outset of the 2014 season. The 2011 first-round pick (No. 5) is hitting a disappointing .133 with one home run and six RBI through 17 games for Class A Wilmington.

Starling has four doubles and eight runs, but he has 24 strikeouts to just nine walks. He is slugging .250.

Starling has not been very productive offensively since beginning his pro career. He is batting .242 with a .337 on-base percentage, .410 slugging percentage and .747 OPS in 195 career games.

Bubba Starling still struggling at Class A

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(7/18/13) Royals outfield prospect Bubba Starling underwent LASIK eye surgery in mid-May after complaining of not seeing the ball well during night games. Unfortunately, Starling is still struggling offensively for Class A Lexington, particularly at night.

Starling is batting .219 with a .354 slugging percentage in 84 games. He's batting .289 in 21 day games but is hitting .195 in 63 night games. The 2011 first-round pick (fifth overall) has a triple, eight home runs, 14 doubles and 41 RBI.

Royals prospect might need Lasik eye surgery

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(5/16/13) Royals outfield prospect Bubba Starling left Class A Lexington Wednesday to travel to Kansas City, where he might undergo Lasik eye surgery, according to The Kansas City Star. Starling recently complained of having problems seeing the ball at night.

"When a player makes mention of it, we’re going to get it checked again," assistant general manager of player development J.J. Picollo said. "Upon his examination, there was a discrepancy from his last eye examination, which was in 2012, to this year’s most recent one. He’s going to see our doctor here, and he is a potential candidate for Lasik surgery. If that’s the case, we’re just going to go ahead and get it taken care of right away. The turnaround time for Lasik is so quick that he can potentially be back in the lineup maybe as early as this weekend. However, we’re not counting on it, nor do we think it’s necessary."

Starling is batting .213 with four home runs, six doubles and 17 RBI in 35 games. He's batting .300 in day games but .172 at night.